cleopatra and the crocodile

Once upon a time in the days of Ancient Egypt, Pharaoh was sailing down the Nile in his barge. As was custom during the summer months, his daughter Cleopatra was traveling back to their palace from their retreat in the Faiyum. The day was exceedingly hot and the royal family cooled themselves beneath a canvas canopy and by the steady fanning of servants. As all children on long journeys, Cleo grew bored in the mid-day heat and ventured forth towards the bow where she espied something green struggling inside of a fisherman’s net.
“Daddy” asked the inquisitive child
“Yes Darling”, said Pharaoh, pulling the gauze shade from one eye.
“What’s that by the shore splashing about”?
Her father who was too busy indulging in his afternoon nap and couldn’t be bothered, “Oh, pay it no mind dear and come back to sleep”, Pharaoh said.
As the ship drew closer, she saw a baby crocodile caught in up in the net of the village fishermen. Her heart strings tugged at her more. She decided she couldn’t sit back and allow the poor creature to be strangled in the net.
“I’ll be right back”, Cleo announced.
Quick as lightning, she steadied herself upon the rail and hurtled herself downwards into the murky waters below. No one had noticed her jump, but the splash could be heard by all on board. The barge woke in a panic as the Pharaoh’s daughter swam buoyantly towards the troubled creature. Pharaoh was awakened from his nap by the ship’s captain, “My lord, your daughter has fallen over board”. He was careful to not mention the waters were infested with crocodiles.
“Well just don’t stand there! send someone down to fetch her”! yelled Pharaoh. The slaves manning the oars were all shackled at the ankle and the key was nowhere to be found. Pharaoh’s advisors were a skittish of the murky waters or didn’t know how to swim. The king grew more enraged at the incapacity of his crew to deal with the crisis and began waving a sword menacingly at his people.
“Do I have to fetch her myself”?, he said removing his linen garments.
“No your grace”, came a wee voice from the galley. It was the ships youngest member, the cabin boy who peeked out meekly through a porthole. “I will save your daughter”, he said. All on deck looked shamefaced, but were secretly glad that he had redeemed the bravery of the crew, for he knew not of the perils that awaited him below.
Upon the rail the boy steadied himself for a few seconds and without recourse plunged headlong into the dark waters.
Meanwhile Cleo swam undeterred from her mission. Eventually, her steady paddles brought her closer towards the ensnared little creature. The struggling crocodile only worsened the grip of the nets and had nearly run out of steam when he was suddenly lifted out of the waters and deposited on a dry rock by Cleo. The croc lovingly swam back to his rescuer had nuzzled himself along side her.
The cabin boy had just reached her when an angry cry came from the Barge. “Cleo, you come out of that slime this very instance”.
The eyes of the affectionate amphibian warmed her heart in the cold water. Upon seeing the huge eyes of the croc, Cleo felt a stir of paternal instincts.
“Please Poppa, can I keep him”?
“Stop talking nonsense and get back on board, you’re in enough trouble as it is. The noble daughters of Egypt do not adopt water beasts”.
There was a long pause from shore where the 3 weary swimmers stood.
Another thunderous boom came over the bow, “Cleo, get back in this boat immediately and maybe you won’t be grounded past harvest season!”
“You’re going to have to leave us if I can’t have him. Either he stays or I go”. Cleo volleyed back with arms folded.
Pharaoh was near another rage when his advisors began their console.
“Sire, it is better you agree for now. There is no way we can get to her from here".
"Ah, very well" said Pharoah collapsing on his throne from utter exhaustion.